Cordless hair styling apparatus and method of use

ABSTRACT

A hair styling apparatus includes a body forming one or more cavities, the body having one or more doors to provide access to the one or more cavities; one or more cartridge heaters removably secured within the one or more cavities; a control system having one or more controls and electrically engaged with the one or more cartridge heaters to activate the one or more cartridge heaters; and a heat transfer element engaged with the one or more cartridge heaters to transfer heat from the one or more cartridge heaters to a user&#39;s hair; the one or more cartridge heaters provide power and heat to the hair styling apparatus.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to hair styling devices, and more specifically, to a cordless hair styling apparatus with replaceable heat cartridges for providing a hair styling device that is convenient, safe, and effective.

2. Description of Related Art

Hair styling devices, particularly with heat, are well known in the art and are effective means to straighten, dry, or curl hair. For example, FIG. 1 depicts a conventional hair straightener 101 having a body 103 with one or more heat plates 105, 107 and a cord 109 configured to plug into an outlet 111 for power. During use, the user plugs straightener 101 into the outlet, turns the straightener on, and waits for the plates to heat up to then proceed to straighten their hair.

Some of the problems commonly associated with straightener 101 is inconvenience and safety. For example, the hair straightener cannot be used in all countries without an adapter to allow for the straightener to plug in. Similarly, the straightener cannot be used in locations where a plug in is not readily available. In addition, there are safety hazard concerns associated with leaving the straightener on and plugged in.

Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of hair styling devices, many shortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a common hair styling device;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a cordless hair styling apparatus in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are top views of one embodiment of the removal and replacement of a heating cartridge associated with the apparatus of claim 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic of the heating cartridges, control system, and heat transfer elements of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the method of use of the apparatus of FIG. 2.

While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional hair styling devices. Specifically, the present invention provides a cordless hair styling apparatus that can be used in any country and in any location in which an outlet is not readily available. In addition, the present invention provides for improved safety of a heated hair styling apparatus. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIG. 2 depicts a side view of a cordless hair styling apparatus 201 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that apparatus 201 overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional hair styling devices.

In the contemplated embodiment, apparatus 201 includes a body 203 having one or more cavities 205, 207 accessible via one or more doors 209, 211. It should be appreciated that body 203 can form any type of hair styling apparatus, such as a curling iron, a hair straightener, or a blow dryer. Apparatus 201 further includes one or more cartridge heaters 213, 215 configured to be removably inserted in cavities 205, 207 and provide power and heat to one or more heat transfer elements 217, 219, such as iron plates or the like. The heat transfer elements 217, 219 could be coils or any item to provide heat to a user's hair.

Contemplated cartridge heaters 213, 215 include pencil heaters and rod heaters, having appropriate power for use with heat transfer elements 217, 219.

Apparatus 201 further includes a control panel 221 having one or more controls 223 configured to activate and deactivate heaters 213, 215 via a kerosene reserve 216 as a fuel source, as contemplated in the preferred embodiment. Other fuels could be used in alternative embodiments.

It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is the use of heat cartridges 213, 215 configured to provide both power and heat to apparatus 201, wherein the cartridges are designed to be removeable and replaceable upon their loss of power. It should be appreciated that this feature provides for a cordless hair styling apparatus that can be used anywhere. In addition, the apparatus provides for improved safety features, as the cartridges 213, 215 lose power, the apparatus will be deactivated, thereby reducing the possibility of fire.

In FIGS. 3A and 3B, one embodiment of a door 301 attached to a portion 303 of the styling apparatus body is shown. It is contemplated that door 301 can be slidingly engaged with portion 303 to provide access to an interior cavity 305, wherein the heating cartridge 307 can be removed and replace. Alternative embodiments contemplate the user of hinges or any other known means in the art to have a door providing access to a cavity.

In FIG. 4, a simplified schematic depicts the activation of apparatus 201. The one or more heat cartridges 213, 215 are in wired 401, 403 communications with control panel 221 and kerosene reserve 216, having one or more controls 223, wherein activation of the cartridges 213, 215 via panel 221 further provides heat to the heat transfer elements 217, 219.

In FIG. 5, a flowchart 501 depicts the method of use of apparatus 201. During use, the user activates the cartridge heaters via the control panel, wherein heat is transferred to the heat transfer elements, as shown with boxes 503, 505. The user can then proceed to use the hair styling apparatus as desired, as shown with box 507. When the first set of cartridge heaters lose power, the user can remove and replace them with a second set, thereby providing a means to have a cordless hair styling apparatus, as shown with box 509.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair styling apparatus, comprising: a body forming one or more cavities therein, the body having: one or more doors configured to provide access to the one or more cavities; one or more cartridge heaters removably secured within the one or more cavities; a control system having one or more controls and electrically engaged with the one or more cartridge heaters and configured to activate the one or more cartridge heaters; a kerosene reserve in communication with the control system and configured to provide a fuel source to the one or more cartridges; and a heat transfer element engaged with the one or more cartridge heaters and configured to transfer heat from the one or more cartridge heaters to a user's hair; wherein the one or more cartridge heaters provide power and heat to the hair styling apparatus.
 2. The hair styling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the one or more cartridge heaters are pencil heaters.
 3. The hair styling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hair styling apparatus is a curling iron.
 4. The hair styling apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hair styling apparatus is a hair straightener.
 5. A method of styling hair, the method comprising: providing the apparatus of claim 1; activating the one or more cartridge heaters via the control system, wherein heat is transferred from the one or more cartridge heaters to the heat transfer element; and using the hair styling apparatus to style the user's hair, wherein heat from the heat transfer element is used.
 6. The method of claim 5, further comprising: removing the one or more cartridge heaters from the body via the door; and replacing the one or more cartridge heaters. 